Chapter 104 first quarter

Pippa glanced at the device in Rhett's hand. "What's this new thing, Cathy? Don't tell me yet. Fingerprint extractor? Criminal portrait synthesizer?" "Nothing to do with Scotland Yard actually, solicitor. Well, not directly anyway. It's an e-reader." Pippa went from disdain to outright contempt. "Seriously, Cassandra. Didn't expect you to do the same. People in the office have been trying to convince me that life isn't complete without one of those horrible things." "What they said is quite reasonable. I bought this thing for a few days, and now I take it with me everywhere."

"These so-called e-books," said Pippa, gesticulating in the air with her finger, "are just a flash in the pan. In a week, this thing will be dusty in a drawer with all your other expensive toys." "Only when I update. Honestly, Pip, you should try it. It's the best thing since sliced ​​bread." Pippa smiled smugly. "That's an apt description. Sliced ​​bread is nothing like a real loaf, like these...I hate using that word...these," fingers began to gesticulate again, "e-books are not real books." Rhett leaned back in his seat, enjoying Pippa's rage.

"The idea of ​​comparing the two is simply absurd," said Pippa angrily. "Books are tangible, not intangible. A good book is itself a beauty, an expression of desire. You can't put that ridiculous device on a shelf and admire its spine. through your fingertips. And..." Pippa stared at the air, looking for more examples to illustrate her point. "Got to keep up with the times, lawyer." "That doesn't mean embracing every new trend." Rhett shrugged. "Yeah, I think you're right. I always say the internet and e-mail is a seven day miracle. And cell phones. Who came up with such a crazy idea? As for the flat-screen TV..." Pippa turned to admire 50-inch screen on the wall. "It reminds me that we really should move to 3D."

"Cathy, we're not going to upgrade to 3D. It's bad enough just watching HD channels that keep showing close-ups of disgusting newscasters' nose hairs. Also, please don't change the subject. I know I remember discussing e-readers with you a week or so before Christmas and you agreed with me. Nothing can replace the feeling of holding a real book in your hands. Honestly, you are like the wind A candle in the middle is like fickle." Rhett smiled shyly. "That was last year." "It was five months ago." "Pip, when will I have time to go to Waterstones?"

"Why are you going there? This is London. We have Foyle's." "Be careful, lawyer. Anyway, with this thing I can order a book and start reading it right away. Also, some books don't have paper copies right now, only e-books." Pippa stopped pouring coffee and looked up, making her point. "There's a good reason for that." Rhett sighed. "here we go again." Pippa continued: "Once upon a time, if you wanted to publish a book, you had to work hard to write it. The book had to be good enough to get an agent, and then the agent had to convince the publisher to take a look at the book. Only excellent books to get published and into brick-and-mortar bookstores. Now it seems that anyone can write random misspelled jumbles and put them online and turn them into e-books. The problem is, they are full of typos, and the authors are usually people who have difficulty reading. sick. I have never read such books, and I assure you I never will."

Rhett took a sip of his coffee. "That argument doesn't hold up in court, lawyer. If you've never read it, how do you know it's full of typos and whatnot?" "It's common sense." "You mean hearsay?" "Don't be so obtuse, Cassandra. As the Chief Justice said, some facts are accepted and need not be cited." "I'm halfway through an e-book right now, and I can assure you there are no typos in it." "Of course you would say that." "Then find one." Rhett slammed the e-reader to Pippa, who swung it away.

"Come on," Rhett insisted. "Prove your point. Show me a typo." Pippa reluctantly took the e-reader from Rhett, holding it carefully as if she might hit something with it. "Oh. Touchscreen? That's not too bad. You already have 24 books? In this little thing?" "It's just the beginning. It can hold thousands of books." "A thousand misspelled e-books? I don't know what's so great about that." "You could carry a whole library in your pocket," Rhett insisted. "Thank you very much, Cassandra, I don't wear pockets." Pippa looked through the book list. "Ah, some of them are classics. Pride and Prejudice? Well, at least this one won't have spelling mistakes."

"Most great books are free," Reid said. Pippa raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well, that's not bad. I've always felt it's unfair for publishers to charge full price for a book that's not in copyright." "Okay, just buy yourself an e-reader so you can read all the classics for free." "Cassandra, you're talking like we're all desperately needy for charity books." Pippa held the e-reader in her hand. "But I like the lightness and compactness of this thing. If there is some way to send private documents to this, people can read them in a taxi. That would be great."

Rhett grinned. "Didn't expect you to say that, lawyer. If you look carefully, I've loaded the forensic reports on it. I don't have the luxury of sitting in a taxi every morning, though." Pippa flipped through the electronic pages, resolutely not showing any impression. "Half of these authors I have never heard of." "It's like when you walk into Waterstone Bookstore, do you know all the authors there?" "You're being silly again." "I bet ten pounds that within a month you'll be addicted to e-reading." Pippa glared at Rhett. "Please don't bring gambling into our home, Cathy. However, if you would challenge it like a gentleman, I would gladly accept it."

"Gentleman? Us? The only thing we have in common when it comes to men is that we both like women." "Do you have to be so vulgar?" "Definitely influenced by my partner." "Sex Slave Diary." Pippa read the words on the screen.She turned her head slowly, a smile on her lips. "You are so naughty!" "Not what you think, lawyer." "Seriously, Cathy, you should at least be honest. I've read in the Daily Telegraph how dirty old men use these devices to satisfy their sexual desires on the commute. But I never I never thought that even you..." She returned the device to Rhett, her smile became more obvious. "Looks like that's why you've been on fire for the past week."

"what?" Pippa raised the coffee cup to her lips, still smiling. "Inspire yourself to work ahead by reading this—" The commentary is interrupted and Ella appears at the door. "mom?" "Didn't you see I was talking to Cassandra, dear?" "But it's important." Pippa picked up the coffee cup steadily, her little finger raised poisedly. "Well, if it matters..." "I'm going to tell you something." Pippa nodded her agreement. "What's the matter, dear?" Ayla put her hands on her hips and broke the news. "I am pregnant." The coffee cup shattered at Pippa's feet.